Golf putting apparatus with variable surface

ABSTRACT

Golf putting apparatus having a putting surface on which a plurality of support springs and corresponding connecting members are provided proximate the periphery of the putting surface for enabling the user to quickly and easily create, or selectively alter, undulations in the putting surface to simulate actual putting conditions.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.09.273,924 filed on Mar. 22, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to golf putting devices having a surfacewhich can be selectively altered by the user to create undulations orvariable breaking speeds in the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Golf putting devices having a selectively variable surface arewell known. Numerous kinds of means for selectively varying the surfaceof these devices have been developed over the years. For example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 1,761,039 issued to Hazeltine and 3,727,917 issued to MacLeandisclose variable contour golf putting devices with hinged panels andpegs for propping up various sections of the putting surface at thehinge joints; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,690,673 issued to Occhipinti and3,892,412 issued to Koo disclose variable contour golf putting deviceswith inflatable air sacs disposed at various locations under the puttingsurface; U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,582,183 issued to Maurer, 3,170,694 issued toDolce, 4,222,568 issued to Russo and 4,790,538 issued to Gettelfingerdisclose variable putting surfaces using a variety of gears, shafts,cams and levers to distort the putting surface; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,595,581issued to Andersen, 3,658,343 issued to Rogers and 4,247,112 issued toDel Raso disclose variable putting surfaces using a series of jacks toprop up various sections of the putting surface; U.S. Pat. Nos.2,118,084 issued to Heinzelmann, 2,334,540 issued to Buffham, 3,601,407issued to Lorrance, 4,743,027 issued to Simjian, 5,002,280 issued toHines and 5,172,914 issued to Primerano disclose variable puttingsurfaces which use a variety of levers and rods to push up on theunderside of the putting surfaces; U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,661 issued toKorff which discloses a kidney shaped putting green under which anangled panel is swiveled to raise portions of the putting green; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,240,637 issued to Cross which discloses a coin operatedputting apparatus which is tilted using a crank shaft which communicateswith a threaded bolt around which a nut affixed to the putting surfaceis rotated thus increasing or decreasing the elevation of the puttingsurface. However, these designs for varying the contour of the puttingsurface are unwieldy, require numerous interlocking parts and are costlyto manufacture and assemble. In contrast, there are a few relativelysimple designs which are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,303issued to Kim discloses a hinged putting surface and a canopy from whichstrings with hooks are hung to selectively engage and hold up thepanels; U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,756 issued to Bedford discloses a flexiblehorizontal putting surface, suspended by loops under tension betweenvertical arms, which is contoured by raising and lowering the loops onthe arms causing the surface to torque; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,211,417issued to Brown and 4,988,106 issued to Coonrod disclose a puttingsurface which is contoured by pushing a wedge-shaped device under thebottom of the putting surface. However, these simplistic designs do notprovide the user with potential surface variations adequate to recreateactual putting conditions encountered on the golfing green.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,522, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference, discloses a variable golf putting surfacewhich the present invention improves over.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a golfputting device with a selectively variable contoured surface that isinexpensive to manufacture.

[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide a golf puttingdevice with a selectively variable contoured surface that can beadjusted quickly and easily.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a golf puttingdevice with a selectively variable contoured surface capable of fineadjustment.

[0008] The preferred embodiment of the invention features a golf puttingdevice having a selectively contourable putting surface over which agolf ball is putted towards a hole, comprising: a plurality of helicalsprings having an outside diameter; a flexible panel supported by saidsprings, the panel comprising a periphery, a plurality of panel boreshaving a diameter smaller than the diameter of the springs and providedproximate the periphery, and hole having a diameter larger than the golfball; a plurality of receiving members; a plurality of connectingmembers adapted to be inserted into the receiving members, theconnecting members being provided first through one panel bore thenthrough one support spring and then into one receiving member,compression and rotation of any connecting member causing a change inthe compressed state of its associated spring, which change causesvariations in the relative height of the surface of the flexible panel.The bores in the panel are of a larger dimension than the penetratingconnecting members, allowing lateral and longitudinal movement of thepanel with respect to the connecting member as the panel contour ismodified.

[0009] The golf putting device may further feature a flexible panelwhich is reversible and further comprises a top surface having a topsurface speed and a bottom surface having a bottom surface speed that isfaster or slower than the top surface speed. The flexible panel may alsoinclude an extension panel removably fixed to the flexible panel orfoldable with respect thereto to selectively vary the overall length ofthe flexible panel.

[0010] The connecting members of the preferred embodiment may bethreaded, ratcheted or keyed.

[0011] This invention is the result of efforts to design a golf puttingdevice with a selectively variable contoured surface that is costeffective to make and has an adjusting mechanism that is quickly andeasily manipulated by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other objects, features and advantages will occur to thoseskilled in the art from the following description of a preferredembodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the present invention with theputting surface in a first position;

[0015]FIG. 2A a partial side view of the present invention with theputting surface in a second position;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a partial end view of the invention with the puttingsurface in a first position; and

[0017]FIG. 3A a partial end view of the invention with the puttingsurface in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As used herein, the term “diameter” is meant to indicate thewidth of an object regardless of the configuration of the object, and isnot limited to objects having a circular or spherical configuration.

[0019] This invention features a simple golf putting device having aplurality of support springs and corresponding connecting members,provided proximate the periphery of the putting surface, which can bequickly and easily adjusted to create a variable undulating golf puttingsurface.

[0020] A preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as golf device10. A plurality of receiving apertures 44, preferably six, are providedin base portion or substrate 45. Support springs, such as helical spring42, have an inside dimension greater than the dimension of the receivingapertures 44, and greater than the diameter of bores 60 provided inpanel 24, are positioned around the apertures 44. The springs 42 intheir uncompressed state provide a first position of a flexible supportsystem for panel 24. Panel 24 is placed so that bores 60 on theperiphery of said panel align vertically with the receiving apertures44. Connecting members 26, 28, 33, 37, or the like insert into thematching receiving apertures 44.

[0021] In the embodiment shown, each connecting member includes anelongated longitudinal leg portion 61 having a portion of increaseddiameter, such as wing 62 extending laterally from the elongated portion61. It is preferred that the wing 62 extend perpendicularly to theelongated portion 61 as shown, although angles less than or greater than90° can be functional. The wing 62 is dimensioned such that it fitsthrough receiving aperture 44 in only one direction. For example, thewing can have a dimension “a” (FIG. 3) that corresponds to the diameterof the elongated portion 61, and that is smaller than the width of thereceiving aperture 44. Similarly, the wing can have a dimension “b”(FIG. 2A) that is greater than the width of the receiving aperture 44.Thus, appropriate rotation of the connecting member 26 allows for thewing to be inserted through receiving aperture 44, and further rotationof the connecting member causes the wing to engage the under-surface ofbase portion 45, locking the connecting member in place and preventingvertical movement thereof until further rotation unlocks the assembly.Thus, as shown in FIG. 2A, downward pressure on the connecting memberscompresses the spring 42, rotation of the connecting members causes thewing 62 to engage the sides of base portion 45 about the aperture 44,locking the spring and putting surface in a lower second position. Thehead of each connecting member, which can instead be a wingnut 52 orother similar capping device, is larger in diameter than the panel boreso that the head sits on the surface of the panel 24. Alternatively orin addition, washers 40 or the like can be used having diameters largerthan the panel bore diameter to ensure that the head of the connectingmember remains atop the surface of the panel 24. The elongated portion61 of each connecting member is smaller than each panel bore 60 in orderto allow both lateral and longitudinal movement of the panel 24 aboutthe elongated portion 61 during manipulation of the panel contour inaccordance with the present invention. The difference in height betweenuncompressed support springs 42 in FIG. 2 and compressed springs 42 inFIG. 2A determines the degree of panel surface variability achievable.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each connectingmember can have two or more spaced wings in order to achieve additionalvariation of the panel 24 slope.

[0023] By using a plurality of spring/connecting member assemblies onopposite lateral sides of the panel 24, several advantages can beachieved. For example, the slope of the panel 24 or putting surfacethereon can be varied both in the longitudinal direction (i.e., asbetween the golf hole 30 and the opposite end of the panel 24 from whichthe putter is positioned) between connecting members located on the sameside of the panel 24 (i.e., between connecting members 33 and 26 and 26and 28), and in the lateral direction, between connecting membersoppositely located (e.g., between connecting members 33 and 37). Forexample, by lowering connecting member 33 relative to connecting member26, a longitudinal slope of panel 24 downwardly in the direction of thegolf hole 30 can be achieved. Similarly, by lowering connecting member33 relative to connecting member 37, a lateral slope of panel 24downwardly towards connecting member 33 can be achieved. From theforegoing, it immediately becomes apparent that numerous putting surfacecontours can be easily achieved, simulating actual putting conditions.As the number of connecting member/spring assemblies on each side ofpanel 24 is increased, the more undulations can be created per length ofpanel 24. Although it is preferred that the connecting member/springassemblies be located such that each connecting member/spring assemblyon one lateral side of the panel 24 has a connecting member/springassembly directly opposite on the opposing lateral side of the panel 24,it is within the scope of the present invention to offset the opposingconnecting member/spring assemblies.

[0024] Preferably the bores in the panel 24 extend more than half wayfrom the end of panel 24 proximate the hole 30 to the opposite puttingend of panel 24, thereby enabling the optimum spacing among theplurality of screw/spring assemblies. Panel 24 is a flexible boardpreferably made from semi-rigid Georgia Pacific ⅛″ pressed hardboard.Other materials may be used to make panel 24 provided these materialscomport with the objects of the invention. In particular, the panel 24should be rigid enough so as to maintain the undulations created betweenlateral and opposing screw/spring assemblies, but flexible enough sothat such undulations can be created. Too rigid a board will not allowsufficient differences in relative height between both laterally spacedand opposing screw/spring assemblies to be achieved. The top or puttingside of panel 24 is preferably covered with a surface material having anap resembling the surface conditions of a typical putting green. Thepreferred surface material is a 24 oz. olefin polypropyleneindoor/outdoor carpet made by General Felt Industries and is fixed topanel 24 using a suitable adhesive. To make a reversible panel 24, thebottom side of panel 24 is covered with a surface material having a napthat is substantially shorter or longer than the surface materialcovering the top side of panel 24 to create a surface having a surfacespeed which is faster or slower, respectively, than the surface speed ofGeneral Felt's 24 oz. olefin polypropylene carpet. For example, billiardfelt will provide a faster surface speed than the 24 oz. olefinpolypropylene carpet.

[0025] Golf device 10 is shown with optional extender panel 36 which canbe removably or foldably attached to the end of panel 24 by clasp orhinge 38 so as to create a substantially smooth surface joint betweenextender panel 36 and panel 24. Removable or foldable extender panel 36allows for a longer putting surface but maintains the compactness of theapparatus for easy storage and transport. Golf hole 30 is provided inpanel 24, preferably centrally located in the lateral direction and ator near the end of panel 24 remote from the putter as shown in FIG. 1.Where space permits, golf hole 30 preferably opens into ball receptacle32 for receiving and retaining golf balls which drop into golf hole 30.Golf hole 30 must have a diameter larger than a typical golf ball andpreferably has a diameter substantially the same as the standarddiameter established for holes on professional golf course. Optionalball gutter 34 surrounds that portion of panel 24's periphery which isproximate golf hole 30. Ball gutter 34 can stand alone or be fixed topanel 24. Ball gutter 34 should be fixed in such a way to panel 24, orhave a shape, so as to cause a golf ball, which drops into ball gutter34, to roll in the direction of arrows B back towards the user. Ballreturn devices such as ball gutter 34 are well known in the art of golfputting devices and as such someone skilled in the relevant art willreadily understand how to make and attach such a device to panel 24.Ball receptacle 32 may be configured to direct golf balls, which dropinto golf hole 30, into ball gutter 34.

[0026]FIGS. 2 and 2A are enlarged views of connecting members 26 and 28assembled together with their corresponding washers, springs andreceiving apertures. FIG. 2 shows connecting member 26 engaging aperture44 so that helical spring 42 is in a non-compressed position, causingthe panel 24 to be in a raised position. FIG. 2A shows the connectingmember 28 engaging the aperture 44 with in a second locking position,causing compression of spring 42 and lowering of panel 24. The apertures44 are formed in a base portion 45 that rests on a substrate 50, such asa floor. The base portion 45 can be elevated from the substrate as shownin FIG. 3, thereby defining a space 70 into which the connecting membercan be inserted. Alternatively, the base portion 45 can be the substrateor floor.

[0027] When the connecting member/spring/receiving aperture joint isassembled, total height at the extended connecting member will equal theheight of the spring. The difference between the height of the fullyextended and fully compressed spring will determine the extent to whichthe elevation of panel 24 may be increased or decreased at the point ofa given aperture 44. By raising and lowering any connecting memberengaging the periphery of panel 24, the elevation of panel 24 can bealtered to create varying undulations in panel 24 to recreate theundulating contours encountered on a golf green. By virtue of theconnecting member/aperture/spring arrangement, the elevation of panel 24can be adjusted to recreate the difficult variations found on golfcourses.

[0028] Although specific features of this invention are shown in somedrawings and not others, this is for convenience only as each featuremay be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance withthe invention.

[0029] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and arewithin the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Golf putting apparatus for putting a golf ball,comprising: a substrate having a plurality of apertures, each aperturehaving an aperture diameter; a plurality of springs, each of saidplurality of spring being disposed about one of said plurality ofapertures; a plurality of connecting members, each of said connectingmembers comprising an elongated portion having a first width smallerthan said aperture diameter and a second portion having a second widthgreater than said aperture diameter; and a flexible panel defining saidputting surface, said flexible panel being supported on said pluralityof springs and movably coupled to said substrate by said plurality ofconnecting members, said flexible panel having a hole having a diameterlarger than a golf ball, wherein said plurality of connecting memberssecure said flexible panel to said substrate above said plurality ofsprings.
 2. The golf putting device of claim 1 , wherein said flexiblepanel is reversible and further comprises a top having a surface adaptedto impart a first frictional force on a rolling ball and a bottom havinga surface adapted to impart a second frictional force on a rolling ball,said second frictional force being different from said first frictionalforce.
 3. The golf putting device of claim 1 wherein said hole furthercomprises a receptacle for receiving and retaining said golf balltherein.
 4. Adjustable golf putting surface apparatus, comprising: aputting surface defined by a first end and a second end spaced from saidfirst end and a pair of opposite sides extending between said first andsecond ends, each of said opposite sides having a plurality of bores; anaperture formed in said surface at a point remote from said first end; aplurality of connecting members, each of said plurality of connectingmembers being positioned through one of said plurality of bores in saidopposite sides of said putting surface, each of said plurality ofconnecting members having a single wing extending laterally from saidconnecting members; a plurality of springs, each said spring beingpositioned about one of said plurality of connecting members; and asubstrate having a plurality of apertures for receiving a respectiveconnecting member, said substrate having a top surface and a bottomsurface opposite said top surface, whereby rotation of a connectingmember allows insertion of said connecting member into a respectiveaperture of said substrate, and further rotation of said connectingmember causes said single wing thereon to engage said bottom surface ofsaid substrate against the bias of one of said plurality of springs tolock said connecting member with respect to said substrate.